This week pensioner Maureen Stiffel was branded a hero for standing up to two thieves.

This week pensioner Maureen Stiffel was branded a hero for standing up to two thieves.

Good for her.Her fighting spirit is an inspiration to us all, especially when people are feeling more intimidated in their own communities. This brave grandmother made sure she was not another victim of the thugs trying to take over our streets.

What gives these criminals the right to take peoples' cash anyway? The widowed mother-of-three certainly didn't work hard all her life to have her hard-earned pension stolen by yobs.

Her clever initiative to keep her purse connected to her handbag is a sad sign that people have to be more careful with their possessions.

But one must remember never to put oneself in a dangerous situation. Sadly,we are hearing of more cases when standing up for yourself can end tragically.Luckily this time it didn't.

Stink at semi

It's unbelievable to think people who move to England are content to live in conditions synonymous to a third world country.

Most do not imagine 14 people packed into a three-bedroom semi like sardines in Harrow,and we certainly don't expect them to use their garden as a makeshift toilet.

Irrespective of what people are used to elsewhere, this is inexcusable here. Their unsanitary and unsavoury behaviour has put them and many around them at serious risk of health problems.

But while their actions can never be excused, it must be said the landlord of the property should take a chunk of responsibility.

If they were aware of the situation then they have happily allowed these suspected illegal immigrants to live in squalor in search of regular income.

And if they weren't aware - then quite frankly they were not fulfilling their duties as a landlord.